Page 49 of Defending Casey

Hale felt a strange kind of sympathy for Brian. They’d grown up together, but in the years that he’d been gone, Brian had become more like Hale’s father than his own. There was a venom in his words and thoughts that were more than a little unnerving.

“I’ve always wanted her, Brian. But I’ve also loved her more than that. I was blessed to have her love and even more thankful that we have a second chance. She’s already told you that she doesn’t return your feelings.” He drew in a deep breath, willing himself to stand still and keep his hands to himself when his fingers ached to put another set of punishing blows to Brian’s body. “I shouldn’t have to tell you that when you kissed her, you hurt her. That alone should tell you what you need to know. She. Doesn’t. Want. You. Not like that.

“Knowing that you touched her- That you hurt her, makes me want to bury you in the ground.”

Brian got to his feet and stood up, holding his arms out to the side with a smirk. “I’m not trying to stop you.”

For one second, Hale considered it and then pushed it aside. He couldn’t do that.

It would be murder and he’d never be able to touch Casey and Nora ever again. Brian wasn’t worth that.

Before he could speak, Brian spoke first. “Look, the only reason I stayed here in town was so I could work whatever odd jobs I could find, determined to help Casey until she saw that you didn’t deserve her love, I did.

“I know that’s not going to happen now…”

Hale gave him a curious look. There were more words in that sentence, but he couldn’t hear any of them. He just felt the unsettling roll of his gut.

“I’ve got a high school friend who lives in Colorado Springs. He opened a bar a few years ago and always wanted me to go work for him. I think I’m going to drive out tomorrow and see when I can get started.”

Silence fell between them, and Hale kept his gaze focused on Brian. He wasn’t sure just how much he could trust a man who’d already proven himself untrustworthy, but this sounded like the best possible idea for everyone.

“Let me know if you need any help.”

The offer was made freely, but there was a moment, a flare of anger in Brian’s eyes.

Hale would be happy to pay to move him out of Fool’s Gold. It really was the best thing for everyone.

Brian gave Hale a look cold enough to freeze water. “I don’t need a thing from you.”

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